A Look Around the World: Winter Celebrations

Adapted from: https://mccormickcenter.nl.edu/library/winter-celebrations/

Cultural differences should not separate us from each other, but rather cultural diversity brings a collective strength that can benefit all of humanity. ~ Robert Alan

The winter holiday season is a special time of year, especially for children. How we celebrate this year may look different, but the spirit will be the same! We can look around the world to explore 10 different winter celebrations. Learning about the celebrations of other cultures can bring us closer together and make us stronger. There are countless winter celebrations and we have highlighted the following ten. 

1. Boxing Day –  Typically celebrated on December 26th, Boxing Day became an official holiday in 1871 and is celebrated in the United Kingdom and former British colonies.  For more information and activities, visit this website.
2. Chinese New Year – Chinese New Year, also known as the Lunar New Year, is celebrated in accordance with the traditional Chinese calendar, with each new year marked by a different Chinese zodiac animal. This coming year, celebrated on January 22nd, 2023, will be the Year of the Rabbit. Celebrate Lunar New Year with one of these activities. 
3. Christmas – Christmas is traditionally a Christian celebration commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ, but in the early 20th century, it also became a secular family holiday, observed by Christians and non-Christians alike. People all over the world celebrate Christmas with both religious and secular traditions and customs.  Learn about Christmas traditions around the world.
4. Diwali – Diwali is a five-day festival of lights celebrated by millions of Hindus, Sikhs, and Jains across the world. Use your complimentary subscription to BrainPOP to learn more.
5. Hanukkah – Hanukkah is the eight-day Jewish festival of lights that commemorates the reclaiming and rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem. For more information and activities, visit this website.
6. Kwanzaa – Kwanzaa is a seven-day African-American festival, introduced by Dr. Maulana Karenga in 1966, that celebrates community, family, and culture from December 26th to January 1st. For additional information and activities,visit this website.
7. Las Posadas – The celebration of Las Posadas is an important Christmas tradition in Mexico. These celebrations take place from December 16th to December 24th. More information and activities can be found here.
8. St. Lucia Day – St. Lucia Day, also called St. Lucy Day, is a festival of lights most widely celebrated in Scandinavia and Italy. Throughout Europe, families observe St. Lucia Day in their homes with a variety of customs and traditions. Learn more and create a St. Lucia day booklet.
9. Three Kings Day –  Three Kings Day is celebrated on January 6th. More information and activities can be found here.
10. Winter Solstice – The Winter Solstice marks the official start to winter. It is the astronomical moment when the Sun reaches the Tropic of Capricorn, and in the Northern Hemisphere, we have our shortest day and longest night (based on hours of sunlight). This year the winter solstice is on December 21st, 2022.  This read aloud is a great way to learn more.